The first tin(II) vanadium(III) phosphate SnVPO5: Crystal structure and magnetic properties

The first tin vanadium phosphate SnVPO5 was synthesized by a solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The crystal structure of SnVPO5 (a=5.2633(4)Å, b=6.5252(9)Å, c=6.8785(10)Å, α=113.283(11)°α=113.283(11)°, β=108.037(9)°β=108.037(9)°, γ=94.603(9)°γ=94.603(9)°, S.G. P  -1, Z=2Z=2) is a three-dimensional framework constructed by V2O10 units fasten together by tetrahedral phosphate groups. Tin atoms are situated in structure interstices. They have five-fold coordination arrangement due to a presence of sterically active lone pair which position was visualized by ELF calculations. The magnetic susceptibility shows a broad maximum at 22 K which is probably due to low-dimensional spin correlations. We propose that the magnetism of the compound can be understood by interacting spin-dimers on a distorted square lattice. Strong quantum fluctuations were suggested by unusual field dependence of the transition temperature and unexpectedly low Curie constant.

Graphical abstractThe crystal structure of the new tin(II) vanadium (III) phosphate SnVPO5 contains V2O10 dimers linked by phosphate tetrahedra.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide